SHORTLIST

Premium Vietnam & Cambodia

Immerse yourself in the rich historic and cultural heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia on a 13-day Premium adventure. Uncover the oriental influences of the historic Asian traders, settlers and indigenous people that have made this part of the world a cornerstone for empires and colonies. From navigating the various fusions of east and west in Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to cruising the natural UNESCO World Heritage listed wonderland of Halong Bay and exploring war time monuments, and experiencing one of the world’s great archaeological treasures at Angkor, this journey will share the best of these countries’ history, nature and tradition.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (boat) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. This trip includes domestic and international flights as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
4. Full name exactly as per passport required at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on the passport), for internal flights. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
5. Local authorities only permit a limited number of boats to stay overnight in Halong Bay. To ensure all travellers can be accommodated on board available boats, on rare occasions you may stay on a larger boat and share your boat with another group. Otherwise, we may swap the activities and destinations of Days 2 and 3 to provide you the best possible experience. The route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$6,488
Number of Days
13
Start Location
Hanoi, Vietnam
End Location
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
1 to 12
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, Hanoi is the perfect place to explore on foot. Maybe head to the city’s colourful Old Quarter or check out the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, showcasing ancient and contemporary Vietnamese art. This evening, join your leader for a welcome dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.
Day 2: Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi and travel to Ha Long Bay – one of the great natural treasures of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening – a gloriously beautiful and traditionally decorated junk-style boat featuring modern conveniences. Set sail in total comfort as unforgettable views of scattered islands and towering limestone karsts slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay and sit down for a seafood lunch onboard. Learn about the geography of the region, visit Surprise Cave where your leader will point out interesting rock formations and in the warmer months, maybe swim on Ti Top Island Beach or take an optional kayaking tour. Soak in the stunning surroundings with a candlelit seafood dinner on deck before settling in for a night of stargazing and swapping stories.
Day 3: Hanoi
Start your day with a peaceful breakfast and maybe take part in some Tai Chi on board the boat before returning to Hanoi. This afternoon, you’ll take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience and sit down to a soul-stirring traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is an art form of Northern Vietnam dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Originally, this was performed by blind performers and was enjoyed by local working-class audiences right up until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. Today, these performances are rare, but you and your group will be taken to a private club house and treated to an exclusive show in one of the few places where artists still sing acoustically. The performance takes around 60 minutes, and includes possible interaction with guests, so be ready to get involved!
Day 4: Hoi An
This morning, you’ll get to know Hanoi on a half-day tour with your leader. Discover a captivating city where traditional and modern sit side by side as your leader shares knowledge on the Temple of Literature – an oasis of calm in the heart of town. You'll also visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, which held American POWs. Today’s lunch is extra special as you’ll visit the fantastic KOTO cafe – a social enterprise that provides hospitality training and experience to disadvantaged youth in Vietnam and offers a creative menu of Vietnamese dishes made with local ingredients. This afternoon you’ll say goodbye to Hanoi and fly south to Danang. Drive on to Hoi An and take in views of lush scenery along the way. The rest of the day is yours to epxlore or chill out in the hotel’s pool.
Day 5: Hoi An
Set off on a walking tour of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover a blend of traditional treasures and cultural influences from historical traders. Your leader will discuss the city’s history as you wander the pagoda lined streets, visit a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, enter the ornately decorated historic house of a former trader and check out a local museum. Hoi An was once a great trading port for pottery, and centuries-old pottery villages still exist to this day. No trip to Vietnam is complete without trying its famed coffee – your leader will take you to a local coffee shop, where you can savour a delicious brew as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An. Maybe try a traditional egg coffee or a refreshing iced coconut coffee. Your afternoon is free for your own explorations.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City
The morning is free for you to enjoy more of Hoi An and the surrounding area. Maybe browse the market for silk and other materials or collect any garments that you might have had crafted by the efficient tailors or hire a bicycle and ride along the lanes and out to a nice nearby beach. Your leader will have great recommendations for places to eat and drink. In the afternoon, transfer back to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening – the bustling food stalls at Cho Ben Thanh market might beckon you over with the sweet and savoury aromas of pho and bun mam.
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
Head out of the city to the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. Enter a widened section of the tunnels with your leader who will help you imagine what life underground must have been like and explain how the tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, and were used for refuge, storage and as a military base for the Viet Cong. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of the dynamic city where daily life plays out on the streets, including a visit to the War Remnants Museum. In the evening, maybe spend some time with your fellow travellers and enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant. Your leader will have some great options!
Day 8: Phnom Penh
Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively capital city. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of Khmer craftsmanship. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After, join your group for dinner at Malis Restaurant – an upmarket dining spot that’s committed to preserving and serving Cambodia's traditional cuisine. Maybe cap off the night with a cocktail at the Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel.
Day 9: Phnom Penh
This morning, you’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Chung Ek, which will tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Then, your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Phnom – the temple that gave rise to the city’s foundation in the 15th century – or the Royal Palace and sacred Silver Pagoda. Tonight, perhaps grab dinner with your group or wander the city and soak up the nighttime atmosphere.
Day 10: Siem Reap
After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in a comfortable private vehicle. Discover traditional Cambodian life at Skun Village and learn about the town’s deep-fried tarantulas and other insects, which the locals consume daily. You’ll also visit Santuk Silk Farm to learn about silk production and its work as a social enterprise, employing local women as artisan weavers. Share a simple, rustic local lunch prepared by the weavers before you continue to Siem Reap, stopping to see historic bridges along the way before arriving at your hotel at approximately 5 pm. This tropical oasis boasts three pools and an excellent restaurant with a focus on wellness. Bright and spacious rooms are in harmony with the lush grounds and feature a veranda, private garden and rain showers. Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on Khmer favourites.
Day 11: Siem Reap
If you choose, you can embrace a very early start today and experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (optional). After, you'll spend the day discovering the fantastic temples of Angkor. For the first half of the day, you’ll be accompanied by a private Angkor Wat archaeological guide, who will provide expert knowledge and insight along the way. Begin at Angkor Wat – the largest and most complete structure and the only one of Angkor's temples with an entrance facing west. For lunch, visit the Sala Bai Hotel School, where underprivileged local youths learn skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school, then visit Angkor Thom – the 'Great Royal City' – a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. From here, you’ll head out of town to an ancient working monastery to gain a special insight into the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity and have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels. The rest of the evening can be spent exploring the bars of Siem Reap or relaxing in at your resort.
Day 12: Siem Reap
After breakfast, it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations – powerful symbols of nature. Next, visit Banteay Srei to snap some pictures of the temple’s intricate stone carvings. You can head back to the resort explore Siem Reap town, or use your ticket for the Angkor ruins to continue exploring the site. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner in the Khmer countryside to say farewell to your group and Cambodia. Amid a rustic and romantic setting, you’ll sit down for a private meal in the rice fields of rural Siem Reap .
Day 13: Siem Reap
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Siem Reap, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Inclusions
  • Meals: 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners.
  • Transport: Boat, Plane, Private Minibus.
  • Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights), Halong Bay overnight boat feature stay (1 night), Siem Reap feature stay (3 nights).
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
  • Hanoi - Welcome Dinner.
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise.
  • Hanoi - Hat Xam performance.
  • Halong Bay - Tai Chi.
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature.
  • Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO.
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo Prison.
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Notre Dame Cathedral.
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
  • Phnom Penh - Welcome Dinner.
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21).
  • Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
  • Santuk Silk Farm Tour and Lunch.
  • Skun Village Market Stop.
  • Siem Reap - Khmer Theater Dinner.
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour.
  • Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass.
  • Siem Reap - Lunch at Sala Bai.
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Archaeologist Guide.
  • Siem Reap - Banteay Srei Temple visit.
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour.
  • Siem Reap - Private Khmer Countryside Farewell Dinner.
Departure dates
Start End Availability Price NZD
12 Oct 2024 24 Oct 2024 5 $7,120
18 Oct 2024 30 Oct 2024 2 $6,985
19 Oct 2024 31 Oct 2024 3 $7,190
26 Oct 2024 07 Nov 2024 3 $7,530
30 Oct 2024 11 Nov 2024 6 $6,985
30 Nov 2024 12 Dec 2024 8 $7,185
02 Dec 2024 14 Dec 2024 6 $7,185
06 Dec 2024 18 Dec 2024 7 $7,185
14 Dec 2024 26 Dec 2024 9 $7,115
28 Dec 2024 09 Jan 2025 3 $7,400
30 Dec 2024 11 Jan 2025 6 $7,255
01 Jan 2025 13 Jan 2025 7 $7,105
04 Jan 2025 16 Jan 2025 5 $7,245
06 Jan 2025 18 Jan 2025 5 $7,105
11 Jan 2025 23 Jan 2025 9 $7,105
13 Jan 2025 25 Jan 2025 8 $7,175
20 Jan 2025 01 Feb 2025 6 $7,175
25 Jan 2025 06 Feb 2025 4 $7,320
01 Feb 2025 13 Feb 2025 9 $6,488
03 Feb 2025 15 Feb 2025 11 $6,830
05 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 12 $6,830
08 Feb 2025 20 Feb 2025 5 $7,035
15 Feb 2025 27 Feb 2025 3 $6,965
17 Feb 2025 01 Mar 2025 10 $7,105
19 Feb 2025 03 Mar 2025 8 $7,175
22 Feb 2025 06 Mar 2025 8 $7,105
24 Feb 2025 08 Mar 2025 8 $7,320
01 Mar 2025 13 Mar 2025 7 $7,375
03 Mar 2025 15 Mar 2025 6 $7,375
08 Mar 2025 20 Mar 2025 8 $7,375
10 Mar 2025 22 Mar 2025 12 $7,375
15 Mar 2025 27 Mar 2025 10 $7,375
17 Mar 2025 29 Mar 2025 10 $7,375
19 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2025 10 $7,375
22 Mar 2025 03 Apr 2025 9 $7,375
24 Mar 2025 05 Apr 2025 12 $7,375
29 Mar 2025 10 Apr 2025 10 $7,375
31 Mar 2025 12 Apr 2025 12 $7,375
05 Apr 2025 17 Apr 2025 12 $7,105
07 Apr 2025 19 Apr 2025 12 $7,105
12 Apr 2025 24 Apr 2025 9 $7,105
14 Apr 2025 26 Apr 2025 10 $7,105
19 Apr 2025 01 May 2025 7 $7,245
21 Apr 2025 03 May 2025 12 $7,105
26 Apr 2025 08 May 2025 9 $7,105
03 May 2025 15 May 2025 9 $6,830
10 May 2025 22 May 2025 10 $6,830
17 May 2025 29 May 2025 10 $6,830
24 May 2025 05 Jun 2025 12 $6,830
31 May 2025 12 Jun 2025 9 $6,830
07 Jun 2025 19 Jun 2025 10 $6,830
14 Jun 2025 26 Jun 2025 12 $6,830
21 Jun 2025 03 Jul 2025 12 $6,830
28 Jun 2025 10 Jul 2025 12 $6,830
05 Jul 2025 17 Jul 2025 11 $6,830
12 Jul 2025 24 Jul 2025 12 $6,830
19 Jul 2025 31 Jul 2025 9 $6,830
26 Jul 2025 07 Aug 2025 12 $6,830
09 Aug 2025 21 Aug 2025 12 $6,830
16 Aug 2025 28 Aug 2025 12 $6,830
30 Aug 2025 11 Sep 2025 12 $6,830
06 Sep 2025 18 Sep 2025 12 $6,830
13 Sep 2025 25 Sep 2025 12 $6,830
15 Sep 2025 27 Sep 2025 12 $6,830
20 Sep 2025 02 Oct 2025 12 $6,830
27 Sep 2025 09 Oct 2025 12 $6,830
04 Oct 2025 16 Oct 2025 10 $7,105
11 Oct 2025 23 Oct 2025 12 $7,105
18 Oct 2025 30 Oct 2025 12 $7,105
20 Oct 2025 01 Nov 2025 12 $7,105
25 Oct 2025 06 Nov 2025 12 $7,105
27 Oct 2025 08 Nov 2025 12 $7,105
03 Nov 2025 15 Nov 2025 11 $7,375
08 Nov 2025 20 Nov 2025 12 $7,375
10 Nov 2025 22 Nov 2025 12 $7,375
12 Nov 2025 24 Nov 2025 12 $7,375
15 Nov 2025 27 Nov 2025 10 $7,375
17 Nov 2025 29 Nov 2025 12 $7,375
19 Nov 2025 01 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
22 Nov 2025 04 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
24 Nov 2025 06 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
29 Nov 2025 11 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
06 Dec 2025 18 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
08 Dec 2025 20 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
13 Dec 2025 25 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
15 Dec 2025 27 Dec 2025 12 $7,375
20 Dec 2025 01 Jan 2026 12 $7,375
22 Dec 2025 03 Jan 2026 12 $7,375
27 Dec 2025 08 Jan 2026 12 $7,375
29 Dec 2025 10 Jan 2026 12 $7,105
31 Dec 2025 12 Jan 2026 12 $7,105
03 Jan 2026 15 Jan 2026 10 $7,460
05 Jan 2026 17 Jan 2026 12 $7,460
10 Jan 2026 22 Jan 2026 12 $7,460
12 Jan 2026 24 Jan 2026 12 $7,460
17 Jan 2026 29 Jan 2026 12 $7,460
19 Jan 2026 31 Jan 2026 12 $7,460
24 Jan 2026 05 Feb 2026 12 $7,460
26 Jan 2026 07 Feb 2026 12 $7,460
31 Jan 2026 12 Feb 2026 12 $7,460
02 Feb 2026 14 Feb 2026 10 $7,170
07 Feb 2026 19 Feb 2026 12 $7,170
09 Feb 2026 21 Feb 2026 12 $7,170
14 Feb 2026 26 Feb 2026 12 $7,170
16 Feb 2026 28 Feb 2026 12 $7,170
18 Feb 2026 02 Mar 2026 12 $7,460
21 Feb 2026 05 Mar 2026 12 $7,460
23 Feb 2026 07 Mar 2026 12 $7,460
28 Feb 2026 12 Mar 2026 12 $7,460
02 Mar 2026 14 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
07 Mar 2026 19 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
09 Mar 2026 21 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
11 Mar 2026 23 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
14 Mar 2026 26 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
16 Mar 2026 28 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
18 Mar 2026 30 Mar 2026 12 $7,745
21 Mar 2026 02 Apr 2026 12 $7,745
23 Mar 2026 04 Apr 2026 12 $7,745
28 Mar 2026 09 Apr 2026 12 $7,745
30 Mar 2026 11 Apr 2026 12 $7,745
04 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 12 $7,460
06 Apr 2026 18 Apr 2026 12 $7,460
11 Apr 2026 23 Apr 2026 12 $7,460
13 Apr 2026 25 Apr 2026 12 $7,460
18 Apr 2026 30 Apr 2026 12 $7,460
20 Apr 2026 02 May 2026 12 $7,460
25 Apr 2026 07 May 2026 12 $7,460
02 May 2026 14 May 2026 12 $7,170
09 May 2026 21 May 2026 12 $7,170
16 May 2026 28 May 2026 12 $7,170
23 May 2026 04 Jun 2026 12 $7,170
30 May 2026 11 Jun 2026 12 $7,170
06 Jun 2026 18 Jun 2026 12 $7,170
13 Jun 2026 25 Jun 2026 12 $7,170
20 Jun 2026 02 Jul 2026 12 $7,170
27 Jun 2026 09 Jul 2026 12 $7,170
04 Jul 2026 16 Jul 2026 12 $7,170
11 Jul 2026 23 Jul 2026 12 $7,170
18 Jul 2026 30 Jul 2026 12 $7,170
25 Jul 2026 06 Aug 2026 12 $7,170
08 Aug 2026 20 Aug 2026 12 $7,170
15 Aug 2026 27 Aug 2026 12 $7,170
29 Aug 2026 10 Sep 2026 12 $7,170
05 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 12 $7,170
12 Sep 2026 24 Sep 2026 12 $7,170
14 Sep 2026 26 Sep 2026 12 $7,170
19 Sep 2026 01 Oct 2026 12 $7,170
26 Sep 2026 08 Oct 2026 12 $7,170
03 Oct 2026 15 Oct 2026 12 $7,460
10 Oct 2026 22 Oct 2026 12 $7,460
17 Oct 2026 29 Oct 2026 12 $7,460
19 Oct 2026 31 Oct 2026 12 $7,460
24 Oct 2026 05 Nov 2026 12 $7,460
26 Oct 2026 07 Nov 2026 12 $7,460
07 Nov 2026 19 Nov 2026 12 $7,745
09 Nov 2026 21 Nov 2026 12 $7,745
11 Nov 2026 23 Nov 2026 12 $7,745
14 Nov 2026 26 Nov 2026 12 $7,745
16 Nov 2026 28 Nov 2026 12 $7,745
18 Nov 2026 30 Nov 2026 12 $7,745
21 Nov 2026 03 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
23 Nov 2026 05 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
28 Nov 2026 10 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
05 Dec 2026 17 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
07 Dec 2026 19 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
12 Dec 2026 24 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
14 Dec 2026 26 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
19 Dec 2026 31 Dec 2026 12 $7,745
21 Dec 2026 02 Jan 2027 12 $7,745